With the push towards greater recognition in the creative industries, more and more creative professionals are getting the recognition that they truly deserve. We meet two scholars who reveal more about the burgeoning arts and heritage sectors.

By Eliza Hamizah

“It’s a misconception that local talent equals to bad talent. I’ve seen many gifted local youth designers, artists, filmmakers, and musicians,” enthuses Kok Tse Wei.

The 30-year-old, who is a serious weekend trombonist with a local wind orchestra, is the Assistant Director for Youth Arts in the National Art Council. His role places him in the perfect position to make such a statement; he talks to fellow arts enthusiasts, organises festivals, meets youths in talent auditions, and shapes the arts landscape by influencing and formulating policies.

Another common myth that 21-year-old Dominic Low wants to dispel is that someone in the creative industries has to be ‘arty-farty’.

“After a good decade in the film industry, never have I felt my work more vindicated when I saw the film. It has wonderful story telling and great visuals. It is truly one of those projects that I am proud to be a part of,” says Hock Hian.

Breaking boundaries

The 39-year-old has come a long way from his student days in the Art Elective Programme (AEP) where his latent interest in the creative industries was nurtured.

Singapore has embraced art, design and music as viable economies, and has executed various incentives and programmes to develop local creative talent. For would-be artists, musicians and filmmakers, it means more money. And if that isn't enough, what’s cooler than telling your friends that you’re a creative?

By Edwin Tam

Jeremy Monteiro and Olivia Ong; Royston Tan and :phunk studios.

One’s a jazz pianist and another’s a singer; he’s a filmmaker and they’re a graphic design collective.

You might have seen, heard or experienced their works in movies, concerts, posters, or even on television. That’s not too surprising as they are part of Singapore’s creative industries – defined as “industries which are inspired by cultural and artistic creativity and have the potential to create economic value”.